Hello Irina,
Thank you for sending in your French mantel clock to meat=rto.com for appraisal. It is my pleasure to try to help you today.
TITLE:
Art Nouveau, Dore bronze, spring driven, eight day time and striking 'case-on-case' mantel clock, bronzed case cast by Alfred-Emmanuel-Louis Beurdeley (French bronzier, 1847-1919), retailed by 'J. LEFEBVRE FILS (of Paris), the clockmaker (maker of the movement) is not known, made in Paris, circa 1880-1890.
DESCRIPTION:
Case: 65cm x 38cm Dore bronze clock case made in the Louis XVth style with the upper case surmounted by fenestrated foliate shapes with leaves and fruit, the pediment forming a fenestrated foliate arcade with a fleur de Lys at the center. The clock canister itself is surrounded by skeletonized large "C'’ shaped handles on either side, pinwheel shapes and drapery folds above the dial and a narrowing of the waisted case with fenestrated ormolu grill-work on the facade while resting on four gilt scrolled feet. A door at the back opens to provide access to the movement compartment. . . The clock case sits on an ovoid architecturally shaped platform ornamented with fenestrated grillwork on both sides of the base as well as the front. The front of the base is ornamented with ribbons, lance leaves, incised dentil molding while it rests on four broad doubled scrolled feet, all in Dore bronze. . . .
Dial: A white enameled dial with black Roman hour chapter, closed minute ring to the outside, a Brocot aperture embedded in the XII for altering the speed of the movement, robust rococo fenestrated mid-18th century style French hands and the dial marked for A. Beurdeley Fils, of Paris (Likely the bronzier as well as the retailer.). . . .
Movement: Unfortunately, this is not shown but will assume it is a traditional French movement, i.e. round solid brass plate movement connected with tubular pillars which are pinned at the back plate, anchor escapement, steel cut pinions, steel arbors,may or may not have an outside countwheel in the upper right corner of the back plate (outside countwheel seen primarily on french movements prior to 1880). Short pendulum rod with attached brass bob would hang from a Brocot pendulum support at the upper end of the back plate and slip through a fork-like crutch below. The movement is spring powered, of eight day duration and strikes a silvered bell on the hour and half hour (a coiled gong would be post 1890). The movement is most likely signed with a medallion won by a clockmaker, usually found at the bottom of the rear plate. . Samuel Marti made many movements for this Parisian firm. There may also be the name of the retail firm in the upper left corner of the back plate. In a most unusual manner the back of the pendulum bob has a logo of the retailer in Paris, a sailing ship with full mast carrying the initials 'JLF' for 'J. Lefebvre Fils' a retailer and maker of small clock parts located in Paris. . .
Condition: The case is in extraordinary condition in terms of its finish which appears undisturbed. Beurdeley made more complex clock cases than this Art Nouveau (1880-1910) example which is not an uncommon style and has been replicated by several other firms. The enameled dial is outstanding with no cracks or losses. Truly a wonderful heirloom and a clock to be treasured, as long as it has the correct movement. One other item that you should look for is a logo found in many cases made by Alfred-Emmanuel-Louis Beurdeley. They have a trademark, 'BY' (in script) cast into the case, usually on the inside of the door or the underside of the base. . . .
It was my pleasure to be of service to you today.
My fair market appraisal is based on actual recent past comparable sales recorded at auctions of similar French Art Nouveau clocks. The fair market value would range from $3000-$3500 at auction today. Retail "asking prices" can, of course, be significantly higher and vary.
Best regards,
David